On The Spot Fines for Cyclists

Kintarō Hattori

Hey Folks,

I was wondering if I could get your opinions on this matter. As a cyclist I'm very much in favour of these coming into force but it seems that the Transport Minister has knocked the idea on the head. Reasons given are that bicycles aren't registered and cyclists aren't required to carry ID. This seems like something of a cop out as the same situation exists in the UK (in terms of no registration and requirement to carry ID) yet the police force over there can issue on the spot fines.

Would you folk be in favour of such fines coming into force? Currently if a cyclist breaks the law and the Gardai want to follow it up a court summons has to be issued which seems like a waste of time and money for all involved and for what might be a relatively minor offence. What needs to be done to bring these into effect?

We're discussing it here if you want to join in.

sdanseo

If a Garda or litter warden sees me drop my chewing gum on the street, s/he can fine me. If I get on a bus, train, Luas, etc without a ticket I can be fined. Neither of these required ID - so that excuse goes straight in the bin where it belongs.

Don't recall having to have my packet of Extra Blue registered to be fined for spitting it out, either.

Cyclists who break traffic law should be liable to the same penalties as motorists. Three times in the last week I've seen a cyclist carry on through a red light. In fact, pedestrians should also be included - twice today alone a pedestrian just walked straight out in front of me. Once the light went green, he strolled in front, full realised he was blocking traffic but took his time to stroll across 4 lanes of traffic with the right of way. Boils my blood.

BrianD

If it was a true on-the-spot fine then the fine would be paid there and then! No need for ID!

The powers that be state that the normal laws for cyclists still apply and can be enforced. Surely this requires to be able to identify the person they will bring to book?

Geansai

BrianD wrote: »

If it was a true on-the-spot fine then the fine would be paid there and then! No need for ID!

The powers that be state that the normal laws for cyclists still apply and can be enforced. Surely this requires to be able to identify the person they will bring to book?

Does an "On the Spot Fine" not mean you get the fine on the spot, and not that you pay the fine on the spot.

Surely, the Gardai collecting the money as well as giving the fine on the spot would be opening them up to all sorts of allegations of corruption!!!

Fully agree with the earlier poster regarding the litter and transport fines. The law is still the law!!!

pa990

on the spot fines are actually FCPN's.
Fixed Charge Penalty Notices.

it's just a letter telling you to pay a fine.

the logistics of a guard ending his shift with a envelope stuffed with money and having to account for it all is a nightmare, especially when someone would be paying a €30 fine with €50 note, the guard would have to give €20 change form his own pocket and try and balance the books and his wallet before end of duty, unless he was to have a float at the beginning of the tour...

the thought of it just makes me cringe at the nightmare, actual "on the spot "fines would create

TylerIE

pa990 wrote: »

on the spot fines are actually FCPN's.
Fixed Charge Penalty Notices.

it's just a letter telling you to pay a fine.

the logistics of a guard ending his shift with a envelope stuffed with money and having to account for it all is a nightmare, especially when someone would be paying a €30 fine with €50 note, the guard would have to give €20 change form his own pocket and try and balance the books and his wallet before end of duty, unless he was to have a float at the beginning of the tour...

the thought of it just makes me cringe at the nightmare, actual "on the spot "fines would create

Apologies for going off topic but it does happen in some African countries. For big checkpoints They have a Police Treasurer there with a big A3 triplicate receipt book and envelope of money... It wouldnt happen in AGS or even the UK Im sure, but over there its what opens up the police to corruption through paying the police man or the police service in order to get a discount...


Its (partly/principally) to get round the fine evasion issue as some people would never be found otherwise if they didnt pay there and then. It also means major inconvenience if people dont pay there and then - In Ireland how many people always carry more than €50 cash - would the guard have to accompany the person to an ATM or take credit card payments by radioing the station!!!

Kintarō Hattori

I don't get why you guys are all talking about cash (excuse my ignorance) but in the UK, don't the police just take the persons details, give them a receipt and tell them to pay it at the local police station.

Why can't that be implemented? No cash has to change hands.

TylerIE

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

I don't get why you guys are all talking about cash (excuse my ignorance) but in the UK, don't the police just take the persons details, give them a receipt and tell them to pay it at the local police station.

Why can't that be implemented? No cash has to change hands.

It is currently implimented for Mechanically propelled vehicles. However seemingly the Minister is not doing it for bicycles in no small part due to the fact that cyclists may not be carrying identification (where as drivers of cars etc must have a license).

That led to a mention that fines could be literally on the spot...